First reading Ezekiel 43:1-7
The vision of the coming of the glory of the Lord to the Temple
The angel took me to the gate, the one facing east. I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the east. A sound came with it, like the sound of the ocean, and the earth shone with his glory. This vision was like the one I had seen when I had come for the destruction of the city, and like the one I had seen on the bank of the river Chebar. Then I prostrated myself.
The glory of the Lord arrived at the Temple by the east gate. The spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; I saw the glory of the Lord fill the Temple. And I heard someone speaking to me from the Temple while the man stood beside me. The voice said, ‘Son of man, this is the dais of my throne, the step on which I rest my feet. I shall live here among the sons of Israel for ever.’
Responsorial Psalm 84(85):9-14
The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace,
peace for his people and his friends.
His help is near for those who fear him
and his glory will dwell in our land.
Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.
The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps.
Gospel Matthew 23:1-12
They do not practise what they preach
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’
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Greatness is seen in loving service
“…they do not practise what they preach”. In today’s gospel, Jesus was critical of the Jewish religious leaders of His time. They placed themselves as superior to the rest of the people and wanted to be recognised, respected and admired. Reflecting on the Church and society today, there are, unfortunately, leaders who continue to abuse their power and are more interested in titles, status and power.
Authority is a form of service. Whether in the family, friendships with others, parish ministries, faith communities, etc., we are always called to place ourselves at the service of others with love and humility. Jesus reminds us today that we have God as our Father, and so we are all brothers and sisters; we have Jesus as our Teacher, and so we need to keep learning from Him how to be great in love.
Reflection question:
Today, who can I serve with love?
Today, who can I serve with love?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
